4.2 Philosophy of Advising
Faculty advising is central to the delivery of services to students. The MGH Institute believes in a proactive and developmental approach to advising students.
Proactive advising assists in building relationships with students by anticipating their needs and connecting them to appropriate resources and support early in their academic careers. Proactive advising involves:
1. Anticipating student challenges and successes
2. Using strategies to show interest and involvement with students
3. Creating a safe space so that students will feel comfortable acknowledging any hardships they may be facing so that they can be referred to the appropriate resources
4. Deliberate intervention to enhance student motivation and follow through
5. Working to educate students on all options related to their academic and professional needs
Developmental advising is based on the concept that the advisor and the student are partners in educational discovery and share responsibility for both the nature of the advising relationship and the quality of the experience. It focuses on capacity for growth and involves facilitating the student’s rational processes, environmental and interpersonal interactions, behavioral awareness, problem solving, decision-making, and evaluation skills.